For Current Residents

Related Links

Rainbow Fort

This safe-space gender-inclusive housing is for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, queer, questioning, transgender, gender non-conforming, gender queer, asexual, and/or intersex, as well as committed allies. Rainbow Fort is designed to promote personal growth and community building within a safe and supportive environment. Designations such as biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression are not used in making housing assignments in this community.

To be considered for the Rainbow Fort community, students must submit an application expressing their interest. As part of the application process, RAD staff may contact you for additional information.

Resident Expectations

Attend at least one community dinner a quarter.

Attend at least one meeting per quarter with a peer mentor, an academic advisor, and/or a staff member from First Peoples to learn about crafting an educational pathway to meet their individual academic goals and how to navigate higher education and academia in general.

Participate in the creation of a Living Learning Agreement (LLA) with all roommates, facilitated by a Theme Community Coordinator (TCC), to ensure each resident’s needs are met within the living community.

Programs/Outreach

As a community of residents, partner with your TCC and the Trans and Queer Center (TQC) to plan and support the TQC quarterly open house. Residents will help advertise to the entire residential community in order to raise awareness and educate about the Rainbow Fort community and the campus partner.

Varying degrees of participation exist in the program planning and implementation process based on each student’s skill set and level of comfort.

Provide outreach to other students who may benefit from the support of the Rainbow Fort community.

Participation

Our goal of creating intentional, supportive environments for students around the concepts of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression depends on residents’ level of participation, feedback and leadership within this community. With ongoing input, effective communication, and active participation, we can keep this positive momentum going for future residents.

RAD strives to foster inclusive physical environments in housing (living spaces, bathrooms, community gathering spaces, etc.). You can assist with this process by sharing with RAD any concerns or suggestions about the existing condition of spaces in housing, and feedback on ways those spaces could be improved.

Past Resident Experiences

“Because it is rainbowy and great. Evergreen is the queerest campus I visited and Rainbow Fort is the queer spot to live on campus and it is beautiful. I am still friends with my Rainbow fort people 2 years later. Life can be hard when you are queer and it is good to have good buddies who can have your back.” – Emily Nilsson, 2015-2016 Resident Assistant